Knowledge organisers: what they are and how to use them

Brush up on what an effective knowledge organiser looks like and how to write one. Download examples you can adapt, and get tips on what not to do with yours.

Last reviewed on 7 October 2019
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 38256
Contents
  1. What are they?
  2. Who uses them?
  3. What makes a good one?
  4. How to write them
  5. Examples you can adapt
  6. 10 ways to use knowledge organisers in the classroom
  7. Avoid common mistakes

What are they?

A knowledge organiser is a single sheet of paper that lists the important facts – not practical skills – that pupils should know by the end of a unit of work.

Use it as:

  • A planning tool, to clearly outline the core knowledge that should be taught
  • A quizzing tool, to help pupils boost their recall of key knowledge
  • An assessment tool, to help teachers check whether pupils have learned the key knowledge

Senior leaders To give a clear overview of exactly what you expect pupils to learn in each subject (the 'intent') To give a clear indication of the level of rigour and expectations for each unit and year group To set a clear and consistent standard for your teachers' planning, regardless of subject Curriculum leaders To identify broader themes over the longer term To make sure you sequence key knowledge appropriately over the medium and long term To help pupils incrementally develop conceptual understanding  Teachers To